Neuroform Stent−Assisted Coiling of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Short- and Midterm Results from a Single-Center Experience with 68 Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial stent placement assists in the coiling of wide-neck aneurysms and aids in reconstructing and protecting the parent artery. In this study, we analyze our experience in the use of the Neuroform system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients treated with a Neuroform stent from June 2003 to September 2007 were retrieved from a data base for analysis of population characteristics, occurrence of complications, and acute and midterm angiographic results.

RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients harboring 76 aneurysms located primarily in the anterior circulation were treated. There were 5 cases (6.6%) of clot formation after deployment (1 with a permanent neurologic deficit), 1 case of perioperative stent displacement with hemorrhage, and 5 cases (6.6%) of transient neurologic deficit due to thromboembolic events. The morbidity-mortality rate at discharge was 2.9%. One patient presented with a delayed in-stent thrombosis, and 3 others, with silent stenosis. Twenty-four aneurysms (31.6%) were completely occluded in the initial embolization. However, a marked increase in the occlusion rate was observed, with 44 of the 68 aneurysms (64.7%) examined at the 18-month follow-up and 26 of the 46 aneurysms (56.5%) examined in the 3-year follow-up presenting with complete occlusion. At the end of the study, a neck remnant was present in 6 aneurysms (13%) and a residual sac, in 7 (15.2%). Mean follow-up time was 25.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS: The present series demonstrates the relative safety and feasibility of the Neuroform stent−assisted coiling technique, which seems to provide better results over coiling alone for wide-neck aneurysms. Angiographic results improve with time due to progressive thrombosis of the aneurysm.